Inking pad



4June 6, 1933. R w, REDlN 1,913,058

INKING PAD Filed Oct. 16, 1950 Patented June 6,1933

PATENT OFFICEV noxw` nimm,` or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS INKING PAD ppncatimia octuber I6, 1930.` serial No. 489,079.

Myinvention relates to inking pads for rubber stamps and dies used as marking devices. The invention more particularly re lates to a novel pad construction and to the method of forming, assembling and retaining the elements constituting the pad. The pads commonly in use comprise a tin box having a hinged cover, the box containing a pad composed of a base consisting of a thin plate of wood, fiber or rubber, on which is superposed a plurality of layers of absorbent material such as felt, blotting paper, perforated fiber, etc. The described pads are usually covered with a section of fabric such as light weight muslin, the marginal edges of the fabric being secured to the lower surface of the base by an adhesive.

This method of construction has numerous objections and shortcomings that develop in diferent stages of transportation, handling and use. For example First; Even when the pad is motionless the impregnated ink does not remain in a state of quiescence owing to `its chemical characteristics and the peculiar qualities of the fiber and felt, a continuous movement of the ink takes place. This movement increases during transportation and the ink will gravitate to the bottom or sides depending on the position in which the pad is placed, and is likely to escape through the openings in the box. Second: Many rubber stamp inks contain a substantial percentage of glycerine which is hygroscopic, and, under conditions of high relative humidity, the ink will absorb moisture to a large extent. This results in an excess of ink on the exposed surface of the pad, while in opposite atmospheric conditions the surface' will be too dry. Thus it is extremely difficult to produce an inked pad having the correct amount of ink available during all seasons and under all conditions of transportation and use. Third: Ac cording to the present practice, the bottom of the base member istreated to prevent the passage of the ink therethrough, or a base material like rubber is used, but notwithstanding this, the ink will escape around the base member whenever the pad is` transported in other than a flat position. The ink that thus 5U escapes and underlies the base can not be returned to the felt except to a limited extent by the capillarity through the medium of the fabric edges.

\ In the pad and method here disclosed, I accomplish several important objects. First, I provlde an inexpensive means of attaching the muslin cover around the pad; second, I eliminate the use of paste or adhesives which restrict capillary action; third, I provide an efficient means of returning the ink from the bottoni or around the base of the pad to the felt, and, fourth, I improve production methodsby providing for a dry assembly of the elements `of the pad,

. According to prior practice,` the felt` or felts weresaturated in ink, then placed on the base and covered with a dry muslin section, the muslin being pasted to the back of the base and the muslin then inked. This is a very untidy` operation, and, furthermore, it is 7 diiicult if not impossible to accurately measure the amount of ink contained in the pad'. By my method the pads .are completelyassembled before ink is applied, andby accurate measurement an exact amount of ink may 7 be supplied to each pad.

`The invention will be more readily understood by A referencel to the accompanying drawing, in which: l

Fig. l is a transverse sectional view through o a completed pad and `box constructed in accordance with my invention;

Y Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing `the elements of the pad separated one above the other in the order of their assembly, the pad being bottomside up, and..

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the pad.

In the `drawing I have shown a box 10, having a hinged cover 11. The inking means comprise a base 12 of wood or liber having '59 an `enlarged aperture 13 formed by cutting out a plug or filler 14. Two sections 15, 16 of felt, with an interposed layer 17 of blotting paper constitute theink absorbentand cushioning elements of the pad, while a fabric $5 section 18 preferably composed of light weight muslin constitutes the cover and the means for holding the parts in assembled relation. `The fabric section has side and end aps 19, 20, the body of the fabric being 1Go substantially the size of the base and belt sections.

In the assembly the fabric is placed on a flat surface and the sections 16, 17, 15 and 12 laid thereon in the order mentioned. The flaps 19, 20 are then carried over the sides and ends of the assembly and forced into the aperture 13 as indicated in Fig. 1. The length of the iaps will be such as to provide portions 21 that lie against the lower surface of the felt section 16. The block or filler 14- is then forced into place securely binding the fabric and holding the edges 21 against the felt. These pads may be assembleddry and thereafter inked, although of course, the invention contemplates the saturating of the felts before assembling if desired. Furthermore, it may be found desirable to coator impregnate the base in order to avoid any absorption of ink thereby. At any rate, any ink that tends to gravitate to the bottom surface will `be carried up by capillarity through the flaps of the fabric in contact with the bottom surface of the f-elt.

Of course, it will be obvious that the fiaps referred to in the claims constitute the marginal portions of the fabric, whether or not the fabricis cut to the form shown in the drawing or utilized merely as a rectangular section, without cutting or shaping.

The pad and method of constructing it provide for simple, economical and eflicient methods of construction and for satisfactory operation in service.

I claim:

1. An ink pad comprising the combination with a container, of an apertured base and a plug adapted to fit the aperture, a pad of ink absorbent material, and a light weight fabric adapted to overlie the absorbent material and having edge flaps adapted to underlie the base and to extend into said aperture and to contact with the lower surface of the absorbent material, the assembly7 being held together by forcing the plug into the aperture and confining the flaps therein.

2. An ink pad comprising in combination a liber base having a relatively large aperture and a closure adapted to snugly lit therein, a felt section and avfabric cover section, the fabric being cut to provide marginal iiaps adapted to underlie the base and to project into the aperture with their inner portions 1n contact with the felt, the parts being held in assembled relation by forcing the closure into the aperture and binding the flaps in place. e

3. An ink pad, comprising a base member of substantially non-absorbent material having an opening in the body thereof, a plug adapted to fit said opening, a body of ink absorbent material, and a fabric having flaps, said fabric covering and binding the absorben t material on the base and the iaps underlying the base and projecting into the openlying the base and projecting into the openmg, the assembly being confined by forcing the plug member into the opening, thereby forcing the flaps against the under surface of the absorbent material.

In testimony whereof I have aixed my signature.

ROY W. REDIN. 

